Carrier for containers



Oct. 21, 1930. R. CHOATE CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 2, 1929 7 INVENTOR.

BY Choae,

M d M ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES RUFUS CHOATE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS Application filed beeember 2,1929. Serial No. 411,162.

This invention relates to container carrierdevices and aims to provide a novel carrier designed especially for the conventional paper containers used so generally in transporting liquid food-stuffs from lunch counters and beverage fountains.

The invention will be best understood by description with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one practicable embodiment thereof. i

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device opened out for carriage of a container indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device as partially collapsed to fit the ocket; and

Fig. 3 illustrates a modi cation of the de- VlCe.

The illustrative device comprises a number 0f fiat metal strips hinged together in a particular relation providing a skeleton-like structure into which a container may slidably fit and be held firmly with lid or cover pressed down tightly in place. The

main structure pieces are represented by opposingly paired vertical side strips 1 and 5 1n this instance spaced equally apart on the four points of a circle.

These strips their lower ends with the ends of horizontal bottom strips 6, which latter have like connection at opposite ends respectively with a center base-plate 7 wherefrom they extend radially.

Girding said vertical side strips together intermediate their ends are segmental or arcuate strips 8 shown hinged horizontally to the strip sides by plates 9 riveted to the latter; These girding strips are formed in 4 two pieces hinged together at the center so as to flex or fold inward for collapsing the device as Will be described presently.

Hinged to the upper end of one of the pair of side strips 4: is a cross-strip 10 adapted to engage the other of said pair by a releasable fastening in this instance provided by a pin 11 connecting them in hinge fashion. This cross-piece serves to prevent withdrawal or slipping out of a container placed in the carrier, even if the latter should be turned upside have hinge connections at down and advantageously presses upon the container top for holding it secure against leakage.

Hinged to the upper ends of eachof'the pair of strips 5 are extension strips 12 to one of which is hinged a cross-strip 13 adapted to engage the other by a releasable fastening shown provided by a'pin 14 connecting them similarly to the aforesaid pin 11 and thereby providing a handle for the carrier device.

This device shown opened out in Fig. 1 to receive a container may be collapsed to compact size when not in use by flexing the girder strips and pressing the'bottom piece inward as represented in Fig. 2 so that the vertical side strips will be drawn close together to ward a center axis. Before so doing how-v ever, the twocross-strip fastenings should be released by partially withdrawing the pins 11 and 14 and folding the hinged parts against tlzheir respective side strips as shown in said In the modification of Fig. 3, the crosspiece 10 is omitted and its purpose served by lugs or angular projections 12 on the extension strips 12. These lugs or projections are adapted to rest or press on the top of the container when said extensions are connected by the cross-strip or handle 13 as will be obvlous.

A novel and convenient carrier is thus provided according to the size of containers to be accommodated. While designed especially for paper or fibre-board containers so universally used in dispensing food-stuffs to be carried away by purchasers, it may of course When made from thin strips of metal, it will be very light and its simplicity of construction enables it to be made at very little cost, especially in large quantities.

.be adapted to other containers or articles 1 as well.

As various modifications with changes in v form and connection of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it is not intended to limit the same by the appended claims to the specific construction shown in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letoppositely paired vertica side strips ters Patent of the United States is: v

' 1. A container carryin 'devicecomprisin meta s aced equally apart on four points of a circle; bottom strips hinged to the lower I ends of said side strips and having hinge connection with a central base-plate from ing side-member strips of metal; bottom 7 which they radially extend; arcuate strips hinged to said side strips in girding horizontal extension therearound and embodying two parts each hinged together between the side strips they respectively connect; a cross-piece hinged'to one of the side strips and releasably engageable with another apart therefrom; extension strips hinged to other diametrically opposed side strips; and another cross-strip hinged to one of said extension strips and releasably engageable with the other to provide a handle.

2. A carrier device comprising a baselate having hinge connection with a plural- 1ty of bottom strips extending radially therefrom; side strips hinged to and extending vertically upward from said bottom strips; arcuate strips hinged .to the side strips in girding horizontal extension therearound and respectively embodyin two parts hinged together between said si e strips; a crossstrip hinged to one of the side strips and releasably engageable with another diametrically opposite; extension strips hinged to other diametrically opposite'side strips; and another cross-strip hinged to one of said extension strips and releasably engageable with the other to provide a handle.

3. A collapsible container carrier comprismember strips hinged thereto and to a baseplate from which they extend radially to allow inward movement of the latter; a girding member extending circumferentially around the side members and embodying a plurality of arcuate pieces hinged together at opposite edges of and intermediately between said side members so as to flex inward; and a handle-member folding against one of the side-members.

4. In a collapsible container carrier according to the preceding claim; means for holding a container firmly therein when opened up to receive it.

5. In a collapsible container carrier according to claim 3 means pressing upon the top of a container placed therein for holding the latter firmly against slide movement and leakage if overturned or even inverted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

" RUFUS CHOATE. 

